The BC Rent Bank serving the qathet Regional District and Powell River will be getting more local representation.

The Comox Valley Affordable Housing Society in Courtenay will start running the service in April. It had been run virtually through the Elizabeth Fry Society in Kamloops.

The bank supplies short term, interest-free loans for rent or utilities to qualified renters facing the possibility of losing their housing due to a temporary financial setback.

In an interview with Vista Radio, Powell River councillor Earl Almeida says many people face unexpected issues like sickness, job loss or medical bills that could put their housing at risk.

“Short term, unexpected expenses that could derail someone's trajectory and in a financial way that could lead to other more significant impacts,” Almeida said.

Almeida was part of an awareness meeting last week for organizations that are part of the housing environment, like LIFT Community Services, Inclusion Powell River, Powell River Educational Services Society (PRESS) and the Powell River Brain Injury Society. Around 30 people were at the meeting coordinated by First Credit Union.

Almeida says having local representation from Comox Valley will help as the agency is intertwined with other organizations that could provide wraparound services.

“And so, as a result, they are also aware of other local programs that might be in existence or they have relationships with other local providers where they're able to potentially partner services together,” he said.

He said one example at the meeting was a woman who needed more than the rent bank cap of $3,500. The woman was able to “leverage on grants or aids available” that brought down the amount she needed and allowed her to qualify for the rent bank loan.

The councillor says the meeting was a good learning experience.

“I think a lot of people in our community, there might have been awareness of a rent bank but not aware of how to access it or, in my case until the meeting, I wasn't even aware a rent bank existed at all,” Almeida said.

You can find more information on the program at the BC Rent Bank website.

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The Powell River Hospice Society is now known by a new name to promote inclusion of services and reconciliation for the whole Sunshine Coast.

Now called Four Tides Hospice Society, the new name and new logo aim to capture the area’s beauty and care from the society.

It was designed by SD47 grade 11 student Moira Kelly, who chose the blue and green colour scheme to match the area.

“We chose our new name to reflect the imagery of our beautiful coast, the rhythm of life, ebb and flow, and coastal tidelines, so we wanted a logo which reflected that imagery”, said society vice-president Malerie Meeker.

“While reconciliation with Tla’amin Nation was the impetus behind this name-change process, we realized that our new name needed to welcome everyone from Lund to Saltery Bay and Texada Island and to reflect the work we do.”

The society provides many end-of-life and grief support services including volunteer visits, caregiver support meetings, grief groups and individual grief support free of charge for the region.

They add they are in the process of an agreement with Vancouver Coastal Health for a dedicated facility in qathet. It would let those nearing end of life to spend their final days in medical care, but outside of a hospital setting.

Interim executive director Leslie Emory adds they will be fundraising to cover the cost of building the facility and it will be run with VCH staff.

“Hospice House has been our long-term goal since the society was founded, and we’re happy to finally be close to an MOU with Vancouver Coastal Health so that we can start dedicated fundraising,” said president Cathy Fisher.

“It is another, albeit very large, aspect of the end-of-life and grief services we offer to the everyone in the community.”

For more information about the society and its programming, click here.

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Efforts to protect, divert and educate visitors from vulnerable archaeological sites in Desolation Sound Marine Park are starting this week.

The Tla’amin Nation says it is a part of a two year project, and will include 83 days of archaeological assessment. They add $500,000 is being provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport and an additional investment from the Tla’amin Nation.

The first phase will include archaeological mapping, site work, carbon dating and cataloguing of artifacts. The team will also revisit 93 sites recorded when the park was established in 1973, the oldest site is around 7,800 years old.

Hegus John Hackett adds that the project is needed, and they want to continue to share their territory with visitors responsibly.

“The fact is, 50 years, and millions of visits after the establishment of the park, we continue to see the resting places of our ancestors damaged and pillaged,” said Hackett. “Since 2010 alone, eight of our burial boxes have been desecrated.”

Director of Lands Kwyem Tomolx Denise Smith adds that the second and third phases of the project include essential land use planning, zoning and public education activities.

“Having laws with teeth and monitoring in place will ensure our ancestors and their belongings are protected and can rest in peace,” said Smith.

Council member Tiy’ap thote Erik Blaney says he appreciates the growing interest, care and awareness that visitors bring to the area.

“Visitor education, kiosks and wayfinding installations will be in place to move visitors away from sensitive sites,” said Blaney.

“Disturbing a burial site changes the course of a person’s life and can even impact their children and grandchildren. This work will protect both visitors and our ancestors.”

The Nation says the park was created without the permission of the Tla’amin and Klahoose, and was the largest marine park in the province. Over 250,000 visitors come to Desolation Sound Marine Park every year.

Visitors are encouraged to learn more about Tla’amin culture and heritage law here.

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Powell River’s hospital now has a new name in partnership with the Tla’amin Nation.

The former Powell River General Hospital is now called qathet General Hospital. The new name was announced Monday, after being suggested in 2021 by the Tla’amin Nation.

The Nation says the name is more culturally appropriate, explaining Powell River was named after Israel Powell, a public official in the 1800s.

The hospital news release states, “Powell promoted policies that continue to cause harm to Indigenous peoples today.”

Tla’amin Nation adds the name change represents a pivotal moment with VCH, and they are looking forward to the future.

“Tla’amin Nation commends the leadership that Vancouver Coastal Health has exhibited with changing the name of the local hospital,” said Tla’amin Nation executive councillor Dillon Johnson.

“This name change is meaningful for our people as it addresses a barrier to culturally-safe care, and it symbolizes a positive path forward.”

To recognize the change, VCH says they will commission a Tla’amin artist to design a new sign for the hospital. The sign is planned to be installed at the entrance later in the year.

VCH president and CEO Vivian Eliopoulos says the new name represents their commitment to Indigenous care.

“Vancouver Coastal Health is deeply committed to advancing Indigenous cultural safety, and this new name reflects our organizational commitment to provide Indigenous peoples with safe, quality and culturally appropriate care,” said Eliopoulos.

“We would like to extend our immense gratitude to Tla’amin Nation, Elders and community
members for their invaluable collaboration and partnership as we continue along our journey towards respectful and meaningful reconciliation.”

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A public hearing will be held next month for a possible Powell River apartment building.

Local developer Agius Builders is proposing a three storey building on Algoma Avenue, north of Burnaby Street, that would have six, two-bedroom units of 750 to 800 square feet each.

Council passed the first two readings to rezone the vacant lot, put conditions on the development that it stay as a rental property for 25 years once the building if fully occupied and that the building be limited in height to 8.5 meters (28 feet).

There's also a condition the developer also has to provide a dozen covered bicycle spaces with electrical outlets for e-bikes due to limited parking availability. There's also a request the developer make a contribution to the city's affordable housing reserve fund.

Coun. George Doubt said there's a lot of positive things about the development, such as providing much-needed rental housing and creating the environment for active transportation. “I am really happy to see this thing going ahead,” he said.

Mayor Dave Formosa added that it's a “good infill” development as many employees in the lower Marine Avenue area walk and bike to work.

The public meeting will happen Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

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The provincial government has announced additional housing spaces for people in Powell River suffering from mental health and substance abuse.

British Columbia's s mental health and addictions minister announced 20 new complex-care housing spaces for the city today.

The money was part of this year's budget to spend $164 million over three years to help as many as 500 people dealing with mental health or drug issues.

Sheila Malcolmson says the spaces will allow professionals to treat the afflicted right in their homes and break the cycle of homelessness.

The 20 housing units will be in a central site in Powell River but locations haven't been chosen yet. Locations are being reviewed by Vancouver Coastal Health in conjunction with the Tla'amin Nation, Lift Community Services and the City of Powell River.

The government also announced four “transitional spaces” for people to access during “periods of acute need” and another four “stabilization or respite spaces” for short-term community supports.

In a news release, Mayor Dave Formosa is thankful for the new services. “This next level of care will enhance supports for people struggling with mental-health and substance-use issues. The city looks forward to working with these partners to make this new service a reality.”

The government says sites should be ready late this year.

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An unspeakable tragedy has struck the family of a Powell River doctor.

Danielle Lessor's husband, Steve, died recently in what is described as “an unfathomable, horrific accident” after falling down a flight of stairs.

In a crowdfunding post, Danielle says she's left in “shock (and) dissociated.”

“Steve has been our Captain. He was a doting stay-at-home father. His tender, caring ever-present being has raised the most incredible tiny human, Mykhailo, our toddler,” she wrote. Their son is 2 years old.

Danielle, a fourth generation Powell Riverite, received a medical degree from the University of British Columbia and has been in five-year residency in anesthesiology in Newfoundland where Steve has family. They had planned to move back to B.C. She is pregnant with their second child.

“Our plan was for Steve to move into more of an earning role back in trades when I was on leave. Financially, this feels impossible,” she explained in the post. She has medical student loans while also facing the task or raising a family by herself.

The family's misfortune has seen an outpouring from the community.

In a social media post, photographer Ali Roddam of Courtenay, who had done a number of photo shoots for the Lessor family, said her heart is broken.

“This family is so sweet, their love was undeniable. The way she looked at him in all our sessions. True love. He was such an amazing and patient father,” she wrote.

Danielle plans to put her family first and “honour his (Steve's) memory by emulating his commitment and presence in parenting. I fear I won't be half the parent he was.”

No information was available regarding funeral arrangements.

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Several governments and agencies are using personal stories to shine a light on the housing crisis in the qathet Regional District.

The video project by Vancouver Coastal Health, qathet Regional District, Tla'amin Nation and the City of Powell River is called “Home at Last” and documents the lives of 15 people who faced challenges in the region where housing vacancy is less than 1 per cent.

Regional Social Planner Meriko Kubota says the housing market, be it rental for home ownership, is “fierce.” A Regional Housing Needs Assessment report last year found four in 10 renters couldn't afford their rent.

The YouTube videos touch on out-of-box solutions to home ownership such as two couples from Lund who are in a co-ownership agreement.

The stories will also show up in qathet Living magazine.

The regional district hopes the videos will “inspire compassion in our community” as it looks for solutions to the affordable housing crisis.

The video series was funded by Vancouver Coastal Health and shot by Powell River videographer Claudia Medina.

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A test of the qathet Regional District’s community notification system will run during emergency preparedness week.

Emergency preparedness week goes from May 1 to 7 this year. The district says the test will be done on Tuesday, May 3 at 1:15 p.m. and you can expect messages to be sent via email, voice and text messages.

The system is used by the three governments in the area (qathet Regional District, Tla’amin Nation and City of Powell River) to inform the community with important details in the case of an emergency.

Notifications are not sent via the provincial Alert Ready system. The system is locally run instead.

The district encourages residents to register for the system if they are not already. They also ask that residents encourage friends and neighbours to register.

qathet Regional District adds emergency preparedness week is a good time to check your grab and go bag along with your personal preparedness.

The district says anyone with questions can contact the Powell River fire department or qRD via email.

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A Powell River woman will be hiking the 180 kilometer Sunshine Coast Trail in a bid to raise a lot of money for the Powell River Hospice Society.

Janet Kenmuir and her hiking partner, Katie Warren, plan to set out May 2 on the excursion that's expected to take 10-11 days.

In an interview with Vista Radio, Kenmuir says she's hiked the parts of the Sunshine Coast Trail before but not the entire trail from Sarah Point Campground to Lang Bay.

Lund Water Taxi donated their services to ensure the woman and anybody else who donates to the Powell River Hospice Society can join the hike starting at Sarah Point. The boat leaves at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, May 2.

Kenmuir says she started volunteering with the hospice society after the hospice in Richmond took care of her grandmother nine years ago during her final days.

“Every weekend and every time I could get some time off, I'd go spend it there with her. Amazing place. It was just so beautiful. They were so good to her and she died with me there and it hit my heart and it wasn't something I was so passionate for,” she said.

Kenmuir would like to eventually see a hospice building in Powell River. “It's just a beautiful thing to have hospice here and I'm hoping one day they'll have a building here!”

In her work at Evergreen Extended Care, Kenmuir says she was able to get a grant last year to renovate a family room for families to use when their loved one is at the end of life.

The Powell River Hospice Society provides social, emotional and spiritual support to individuals at the end of their life, as well as support for family and friends to help them through the grieving process.

While there's been a healthy competition in the past, Janet has teamed up her health care friend, Jodie Young, for fundraising. They are hoping to raise $5,000.

You can find their page here.

“Hopefully we get through this. There's a lot of wildlife out there right now,” Kenmuir laughed.

The virtual Hike for Hospice event takes place the week of May 8.

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A group of Powell River workers have planted a special garden near city hall.

City employees had trowels in hand Friday to mark Earth Day as they started a pollinator patch – plants that provide food, water and shelter for bees, birds and butterflies.

The city says this year's employee wellness survey identified climate distress and its effect on their mental health as a top priority.

The pollinator patch is meant to get employees interacting with one another while helping with their mental health.

The project was overseen by the VK Wellness Institute, which has been responsible for overseeing the creation of a dozen pollinator habitats planted throughout the qathet region in 2021.

The institute also notes the increased worry among youth about the future of the planet.

“Building something like a pollinator patch is so simple on the surface, but so deeply rewarding. It benefits the ecosystem of the whole community and the health and wellness of the individuals,” spokeswoman Elena Martin said in a news release.

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Powell River will be releasing thousands of salmon fry into Willingdon Creek as part of a fish preservation project.

It involves the Powell River Parks Department, the Powell River Salmon Society and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The society donated the 5,500 baby salmon while the city is responsible for system design, labour and materials.

In an interview with Vista Radio, Parks Supervisor Mike Kaban says they revived a project that was done for a couple of year about a decade ago by his predecessor, Paul Nassichuk, with Shane Dobler of the society.

Kaban says a number of people came to together to make it happen including the city's irrigation technologist, who has a background is aquaculture.

“We are excited about it. Powell River is known for fish around the world for sports fishing and you can hardly talk about Powell River without sports fishing. These are chum but it does add nutrients back into the water and into the creek system and it is a really good thing for our area,” Kaban said.

While there are 5,500 young salmon in the trough, the tank could handle 70,000.

“Anything we put into the Willingdon Beach area creek, McFall Creek area, essentially we are taking it out of the Lang Creek Estuary. These fish would be going into the ocean anyway through the Powell River Salmon Society. But this is just allowing us to get some more natural levels back to this creek,” Kaban explained.

The salmon will be released after they're raised in water from Willingdon Creek – a process called imprinting – that started Tuesday and will take 10 days to complete.

Once they're released, it's hoped they will return to spawn and create a reproduction cycle.

The imprinting and release is planned for every year going forward.

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A man who police say had multiple warrants was arrested after allegedly breaking into a cabin.

Police say the break-in happened at Lois Lake on the afternoon of March 30. Items were allegedly stolen from inside the cabin.

Police later found a vehicle in a ditch about a kilometre away that a witness saw at the cabin. Officers went to the campsite of the vehicle’s owner and arrested a woman and her boyfriend.

Police say the boyfriend provided a false identity. When he was correctly identified, police say the man was found to have multiple outstanding warrants in Alberta for possession of a forged credit card, resisting a peace officer and breach of probation.

The warrants were extended to B.C. and the man was sent to Alberta, according to police.

Charges are being prepared against the vehicle owner for break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime.

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With worries of being “inundated” by presentations, Powell River's committee of council will look to direct delegations to the Possible Name Change Joint Working Group.

The move follows a passionate discussion Tuesday at a committee of the whole meeting on whether local resident Arthur Richards could speak to council on his research on Dr. Israel Wood Powell.

The city is going through an exploratory exercise at the request and Tla'amin First Nation, to possibly change the city's name from its namesake who's history is tied to the Indian residential school system.

The final vote was 4-3 to remove Richard's opportunity to speak – his work seen by some critics as hate speech.

While the city has had two delegations to date, Mayor Dave Formosa said it was important to “plug this hole real quick” or a swath of delegations “could be a disaster” for the city trying to get other work done.

The debate was punctuated in a back-and-forth between Formosa and Coun. Jim Palm, who said he would never support a move that “stifles residents' opinions.” He warned council to “think long and hard” about the city's legal opinion.

Coun. Maggie Hathaway, who is on the possible name change committee, said it was a “touchy issue” but the committee was set up to hear these arguments. The next sessions are Tuesday (April 12) at Dwight Hall at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, April 20 at the Evergreen Theater at 10 a.m.

In an interview with Vista Radio, Hathaway says it was a “fairly respectful” and “good, healthy debate.”

But she believes a committee of council is not the best venue to hear this contentious issue.

“When the topics are this contentious we could sit there all day long listening to people have input. But is that good use of time on the part of council? In this situation, I think not,” she said.

Hathaway is also “really saddened” that the city's name has become such a divisive issue.

Before the vote, some on council were concerned that shutting out a delegation may set the municipality up for a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge.

But Chief Administrative Officer Russell Brewer told council a legal review of his presentation deemed it not to be hate speech. Corporate officer Chris Jackson said the procedural bylaw allows council to control whether it hears delegations but the “crux” in any legal challenge would be why Richards' was not allowed to speak when others were permitted.

A report will come back to city council on a bylaw to limit delegations to procedural issues around the possible name change. The city would still receive written correspondence in its city agendas, under the proposal.

Later during a question and answer session, Richards said he simply wanted to request council look at putting money toward finding a B.C. historian to look at the issue.

Richards felt that if he spoke to the possible name change committee his research “would have been buried” – something Coun. Cindy Elliott denied. Elliott is also part of the committee.

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Powell River RCMP are investigating an alleged stabbing after a man tried to prevent a theft.

Police say the incident happened on April 1 at around 12:30 a.m. on Lytton Street near Brunswick Avenue.

It was reported that a man had seen the suspect behaving suspiciously, according to police. They say the man saw the suspect enter a carport and leave with items believed to be stolen.

The man decided to confront the suspect but was allegedly attacked and stabbed in the process, according to RCMP.

Police say the suspect then fled the area. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male between 25 and 30 years old, around five feet 10 inches tall and 150 lbs. The man also is described as having medium-length hair, wearing a black jacket, dark pants and a white bandana pulled up to their chin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604-485-6255.

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After last year’s busy holiday season for emergency departments (EDs), Vancouver Coastal Health is asking patients to make sure they really need to see the ED for non-urgent issues and to help keep things less busy.

In a news release, the health authority says "while it is important to visit the emergency department (ED) for emergent health issues, non-life-threatening urgent and non-urgent conditions can often be effectively managed by urgent primary care centres (UPCCs), family doctors, walk-in clinics or other services."

During last year’s season, VCH says EDs had over 30,000 visits. However, one-third of the cases turned out to be non-urgent.

“Hospitals continue to follow rigorous [Covid 19] infection prevention and control guidelines ensuring they are a safe place to receive emergent care throughout the pandemic,” said Dr. Eric Grafstein, regional head of Emergency Medicine at VCH and Providence Health Care.

While VCH says EDs should be visited for emergencies only, they still say not to put off getting care.

“The holiday season is no exception to our consistent advice year-round: never delay seeking treatment or care as it can worsen your condition,” said Grafstein.

“Any life-threatening conditions, including suspected stroke or heart attack, poisoning or overdose, major trauma, head injury with loss of consciousness, among others, are best managed in a hospital setting.”

Five UPCCs are located in VCH communities. The authority says they have the ability to provide care for sprains and strains, cuts, wounds and skin conditions.

Patients who are unsure where to get care can call 811 for general health guidance, according to VCH.

To find a UPCC near your community, visit the VCH website.

READ MORE: Canada advising against non-essential international travel for the next month

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Events on the Sunshine Coast may stay on for another year with recovery funding.

A total of $100,000 is being given to four coast events this year as recovery funding from the province.

The events include:

• The Townsite Jazz Festival in Powell River on Dec. 18., receiving $10,000
• The PRISMA Festival in Powell River in June, receiving $25,000
• The Rainforest Circus: Submerged in Powell River in July, receiving $50,000
• Rogue Arts Festival in Sechelt, in August, receiving $15,000

The events are a part of 680 events receiving nearly $30 million in funding, according to the province. They say the funding accounts for about 20 per cent of the total event budget, up to a maximum of $250,000.

Minister of Tourism Melanie Mark said funding in the form of grants was key to keeping things moving.

“We’re thrilled that people can once again safely enjoy their local fairs, festivals and events with their families and friends,” said Mark.

“We heard overwhelmingly from event organizers that grants, not loans, were key to keeping their doors open to the public and workers employed.”

B.C. announced in a press release the selected events showed economic and social benefits along with strong community support, and Powell River - Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons hopes the funding will keep the art scene alive.

“The Sunshine Coast is well-known for its vibrant arts and culture scene,” said Simons. “COVID-19 put a damper on some of our favourite events, but our government is here to support these events and their organizers to help them come back stronger than ever and keep our communities vibrant.”

A total of 317 events in Vancouver and the Coast Mountains along with 141 events on Vancouver Island will receive funding.

READ MORE: Canada in early stages of Omicron community transmission says Dr. Tam

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After more than 200 workers lost their jobs at Catalyst tiskʷat Mill, North Island College (NIC) has offered free film industry training to workers beginning next year.

The program will be offering training in grip, lighting and set construction positions beginning on Jan. 4 and finishing on Feb. 24. The pilot program involves an online portion and an in-person portion on a film set in Vancouver, and funding is provided by the provincial and federal governments as a workforce expansion program.

The training will also include podcasts and modules to meet other regulations in training. In-person training will be with a partnership with Martini Studios, giving them an opportunity to learn how things work on a film set.

The program will give successful participants their first aid, WHIMS and a micro-credential, allowing students to start getting experience in the field.

Vancouver Island North Film Commission commissioner Joan Miller says the program is designed to get them going to work as many have lost their jobs.

“When we heard the terrible news of the layoffs over in Powell River the college did reach out to me and asked if we would try to expand our communication in that area because there would be so many people that potentially with their skills and experience would be a perfect fit for the training we’re doing,” said Miller.

She said the film industry is made up of tradespeople underneath the surface, including electricians, contractors and construction workers. The positions they are offering training for include grips, set lighting and set construction and all those positions require a background in normal trades jobs.

“For a mill, there’s a lot of people there who are electricians, there’s a lot of people there who are pipefitters,” said Miller.

She says office workers can also be useful in the workings of the film industry and the program will give students all the tools they need to go into work.

“Right now, everyone is collaborating to find a new pathway for people to come in,” she said. “It is contract gigs; your reputation gets you your next job.”

While Miller says the industry is growing rapidly and things have changed in the way people get work, workers would likely have to leave Powell River if they wanted full-time employment.
“But that’s not going to give a Powell River person employment, no,” she said. “But Vancouver Island has really taken off with productions back to back to back.”

She said workers would be able to get more work in Vancouver if they chose or go from job to job on the Island as smaller companies like to hire local people who may not need hotels to stay in.

People who are considered for the program are people with more background experience, according to Miller, who says it’s difficult to “start from scratch” with a program like this one.

Miller said the demand for content is higher than ever before because of COVID, and she hopes the participants of the program will be able to get back into work in the expanding world.

Those interested in the program can contact North Island College for more information.

READ MORE: BC Liberals create list to help laid-off mill workers

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Another classic day of west coast weather is expected to hit the coast Friday.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Comox Valley and the Sunshine Coast, with rainfall of 20 to 40 millimetres combined with winds of 60 km/h gusting to 80.

The weather agency says the strong pacific frontal system will arrive Friday and continue through Saturday morning, with the strongest winds Friday night.

They say to monitor forecasts for more information as the storm passes through.

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The BC Liberals say they have a list of points outlining how to help the 206 workers laid off at the Catalyst Paper tiskʷat mill.

The Liberals claim that the current NDP government and Forests minister have not done what is needed to keep workers afloat over the holidays.

The four-point list can be found below:

1. Provide immediate financial support to families so they can pay bills and provide for their families
2. Provide financial support to the community.
3. Get Forests minister Katrine Conroy to listen to the worker’s concerns face to face.
4. Create a cabinet committee to look at alternative economic solutions to assist the forest-dependent community.

The BC Liberals say these steps could prevent more than 400 people from losing their jobs.

RELATED: Over 200 out of work as Powell River paper mill closes

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